Donald Trump to cut budget for International Space Station (ISS) via privatization

New Delhi : The White House wishes to make International Space Station (ISS) a commercial venture run by private industry that may cut US Government's huge funding for the costly programme within a few years, The Washington Post reported.

ISS is a low-orbit space station piloted by the US space agency NASA and developed jointly with its Russian counterpart.

"The decision to end direct federal support for the ISS in 2025 does not imply that the platform itself will be deorbited at that time," says an internal NASA document obtained by the Post. 

"It is possible that industry could continue to operate certain elements or capabilities of the ISS as part of a future commercial platform.

"NASA will expand international and commercial partnerships over the next seven years in order to ensure continued human access to and presence in low Earth orbit," the document says.

Donald Trump administration will also be allocating $150 million for ISS in the budget request. To ensure a smooth transition, the White House would ask the private sector to provide market analyses and development plans, the Post reported.

It is very much likely that the US Government will have to face a stiff opposition from the leaders.

No comments have been received from NASA on this so far.